JŪRISCONSULTI

or JŪRĔCONSULT I arose among the Romans after the separation of the Jus Civile from the Jus Pontificium. Such a body certainly existed before the time of Cicero, and the persons who profe ed to expound the law were called by the various names of jurisperiti , jurisconsult i , or consult i simply. They were also designated by other names, as jurisprudentes , prudent i ores , periti ores , and juris auctores . The busine of the early jurisconsult i consisted both in advising and acting on behalf of their clients ( consult ores ) gratuitously. They gave their advice or answers ( responsa ) either in public places which they attended at certain times, or at their own houses; and not only on matters of law, but on any thing else that might be referred to them. The words scribere and cavere referred to their employment in drawing up formal instruments, such as contracts or wills, . At a later period, many of these functions were performed by persons who were paid by a fee, and thus there arose a body of practitioners distinct from those who gave responsa and who were writers and teachers. Tiberius Coruncanius, a plebeian, who was consul B.C. 281, and also the first plebeian Pontifex Maximus, is mentioned as the first who publicly profe ed ( publice profe us est ), and he was distinguished both for his knowledge of the law and his eloquence.